YouTube video celebrates Pope Francis

Denver, Colo., Mar 15, 2013 / 05:03 pm (CNA).-
A YouTube video produced by the grassroots political organization Catholic Vote is celebrating the election of Pope Francis to “give glory to God and His Church,” the website's founder has said.

“Pope Francis embodies what we must be for the world – humble servants of the great gift of Faith manifested in a profound relationship with Jesus Christ,” Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote.org, told CNA March 15.

Nearly two minutes long, the video features scenes from Rome before, during and after the conclave, with voice-overs telling the story of Pope Francis’ election.

“In the midst of all the negativity, uncertainty, scandal and doubt, the election of Pope Francis has been met with near universal acclaim around the world by Catholics, Christians, believers and non-believers alike,” Burch noted.

He said he hopes the video will show Americans “the beauty of our Church.”

While “the ceremonies and rituals of a Conclave are derided as outdated and medieval...tens of millions of people were glued to their televisions and computers Wednesday afternoon.”

“I received emails from numerous non-Catholic friends saying they can't remember being this excited,” he exclaimed. “What more proof do we need of the work of the Holy Spirit?”

On March 13, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires was elected by the College of Cardinals on their fifth ballot, choosing the name Pope Francis. He is the first Jesuit to be elected Pope, as well as the first Latin American Pope.

The process leading up the Pontiff’s election captured the attention of the world, starting with the Feb. 11 announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he was stepping down from the papacy – the first Pope to do so in centuries – due to old age and declining strength.

All eyes were on Rome as the cardinals gathered for the conclave that would elect the next Successor of Peter. The days that followed were particularly suspenseful because Vatican observers suggested that there was no clear front-runner going into the conclave, so the announcement of the new Holy Father’s identity was highly anticipated.

Pope Francis greeted the crowds of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square shortly after being elected. He will be inaugurated on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph.

The video closes with a quote from Pope Francis' address from the loggia overlooking St. Peter's Square the night of his election:

“And now we take up this journey…Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world.”